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Grainger Awards Final Scholarships for 2006

Nov 01, 2006

Grainger, a distributor of facilities maintenance supplies across North America, recently awarded three remaining 2006 scholarships to technical education students in Illinois, Ohio and Maryland, completing the first year of the company's Tools for Tomorrow scholarship program. The program provides funding for students at select community colleges to finish their second year in a technical career program. "As we conclude our inaugural year of the Tools for Tomorrow scholarship program, we are proud to support these exceptional students as they progress in their education," says James T. Ryan, President, Grainger. "The students of today represent the future of the technical professions." Earlier this year, Grainger and the American Association of Community Colleges partnered to launch Grainger's Tools for Tomorrow scholarship program, designed to help students in technical education who have demonstrated drive, commitment and leadership realize their educational goals. The pilot program awarded outstanding students at seven institutions across the country with a scholarship for their second year of college and a specialized tool package upon successful completion of the program.

The final 2006 scholarships were awarded to Fernando Gomez of Waukegan, Ill., in automotive technology; Brandon Bogle of Milford, Ohio, in electrical engineering; and Troy Hastings of Baltimore in construction management.

Tools for Tomorrow recipient Fernando Gomez is an automotive technology student at the College of Lake County in Grayslake, Ill. As the first person in his family to attend college, Gomez has demonstrated his commitment to education with a 3.7 grade point average and proven his leadership skills as president of the Latino Alliance and as a member of the Automaniacs Club, which prepared community members' cars for the winter.

Grainger also honored Cincinnati State Technical and Community College student Brandon Bogle. According to his instructors, Bogle is "an aggressive learner who clearly demonstrates his commitment to excel academically." With his 3.7 grade point average and a consistent place on the Dean's List, Bogle balances his electrical engineering courses with a full time job and a family of six, while managing to tutor fellow students and participate in a co- op job for a local IT department. The final 2006 scholarship recipient is a student at the Community College of Baltimore County–Catonsville. Troy Hastings' interest in construction grew out of his family's involvement in the field and the opportunity to participate in the National Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee's electrical program. Five years later, Hastings is the first construction management student to be awarded a Construction Crafts Professional Certificate at CCBC–Catonsville while simultaneously earning his Master Electrical license and a 3.62 grade point average. Earlier this year, Grainger also awarded these four students with Tools for Tomorrow scholarships: * Michael Guido in architecture and construction at Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn, Mich.; * Amanda Korte in construction technology at St. Louis Community College; * Stuart Nielsen in welding fabrication at South Seattle Community College; * Margaret Braswell in construction management and construction technology at North Lake College in Irving, Texas. "Students enrolled in technical career programs will help to meet a serious and growing skills gap in our country," said American Association of Community Colleges President George R. Boggs. "By stepping up to recognize their potential, Grainger is not only helping deserving students, but they are also investing in our nation's continuing economic success." Grainger currently operates more than 400 branches in local markets across the U.S.